Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP)

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One of the most exciting emerging forms of regenerative medicine for soft tissue injuries is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP injections are an increasingly popular alternative to surgery and are getting great results for patients of all ages. The physicians at Southwest Spine & Sports have been practicing regenerative medicine for decades and together have helped Arizona patients live pain-free. Whether you are an elite athlete or a “Weekend Warrior” if you’re looking for a nonsurgical way to manage and eliminate your back, neck, joint or other pain, call Southwest Spine & Sports at (480) 860-8998 today!

Are You a Candidate?

No matter your age, activity level or condition, no one should have to live with pain. At Southwest Spine & Sports, we’ve used PRP to treat people in all phases of life, including:

Youth / amateur / professional athletes

“Weekend warriors” and other generally active people

Workers injured on the job

People of any age with chronic joint, tendon or ligament pain

PRP therapy can be used to treat a variety of acute and chronic injuries, including but not limited to:

Chronic lower back pain

Spinal stenosis

Tennis elbow

Rotator cuff tears

Knee osteoarthritis

Achilles tendinitis

Plantar fasciitis

Neck pain

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears

Acute and chronic tendon problems

Injuries to ligaments and muscles

Find out if PRP is right for you – call today (480) 860-8998!

What is Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy?

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a safe, effective and all natural way to heal damaged joints and soft tissue in order to alleviate chronic pain. PRP consists of a small sample of your own blood, spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets and then injected into the injured area.

PRP has been used for over 20 years in numerous surgical fields to enhance bone grafting, accelerate wound healing and reduce the risk of infection after surgery. Medical research and intensive studies are leading the way to the tremendous benefits offered by PRP for joint pain, soft tissue injuries, low back disc degeneration, and arthritis, with the goal of enhancing the body’s ability to naturally heal itself.

Our specialists can determine if PRP is an appropriate option. Give us a call today to schedule an initial consultation or learn more.

How PRP Therapy Can Help

When tissue injury occurs, platelets collect at the site and begin to repair it. By concentrating these platelets and administering them straight into the injury site, we can deliver a powerful mixture of growth factors exactly where you need it, dramatically enhancing your body’s natural healing process. This treatment may lead to a more rapid, more efficient, and more thorough restoration of the tissue to a healthy state.

The PRP injection is very safe – at most, you may experience very mild pain, stiffness or swelling. While any medical procedure carries a small risk of infection, since you’re using your own blood this risk is minimal.

What to Expect from Your Platelet Rich Plasma Procedure

At Southwest Spine & Sports, we always start our PRP treatment with a musculoskeletal ultrasound. Ultrasound helps us pinpoint the exact location of the pain site, making the treatment much more effective for healing and pain relief. Because ultrasound is performed in real-time, our physician or physician’s assistant has the ability to watch on a monitor as the needle is placed precisely in the correct position for the injection. A local anesthetic will be applied to the area followed by PRP injection with ultrasound guidance to ensure that the appropriate target is reached.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is an invaluable part of our regenerative medicine procedures and allows us to deliver the most effective treatment right where it hurts – eliminating the guesswork and helping us provide the best care possible.

How long does it take?

The procedure takes approximately one to two hours, including preparation and recovery time. Performed safely in a medical office, PRP therapy relieves pain without the risks of surgery, general anesthesia, or hospital stays and without a prolonged recovery. In fact, most people return to their jobs or usual activities right after the procedure.

Is there any pain?

Some patients report swelling and stiffness or mild to moderate discomfort lasting a few hours after the injection. This is a normal response and is a sign that the treatment is working. Over time, the affected area will begin to heal and strengthen and you will experience considerably less pain.

How many treatments will I need?

Regenerative medicine is not a “quick fix” and is designed to promote long-term healing of the injured tissue. While most patients require only one injection, the regeneration of collagen takes 4-6 months and may require multiple injections. Pain and functional recovery will be assessed 2-3 weeks after the injection to determine further therapy needs. The total number of treatments you will need depends on your age, the area being treated and the amount of pain you were experiencing before starting therapy.

Will My Insurance Cover It?

While PRP has helped thousands of patients over the years, it is still relatively new and as a result is not yet covered by many insurance plans. However, some parts of the treatment may be covered. Since the cost for and types of treatment required varies significantly from patient to patient, we will provide you with pricing info during your initial consultation, based on your specific needs and situation.

Other Options

A physician from Southwest Spine & Sports will be able to tell you definitively if PRP is right for you. If it’s determined that you would benefit more from a different type of treatment, we also offer:

About Southwest Spine & Sports

Southwest Spine & Sports has been helping people throughout the state of Arizona manage and eliminate their pain since 1999. Always striving to serve our patients better, we’ve been at the forefront of regenerative medicine and are continually working to advance our own knowledge of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and how to restore function in our patients.

Recognized as Top Doctors by Phoenix Magazine, our team of specialists brings not only their unparalleled medical knowledge and skills but also genuine care and concern for each and every patient we see from all ages and walks of life. From seasoned athletes to “Weekend Warriors,” there’s no limit to who can receive regenerative medicine therapy to treat their pain.

With two convenient locations in Scottsdale and Tempe, AZ, we are one of the area’s largest pain management and regenerative medicine practices. All of our physicians have devoted their lives to compassionate patient care and providing safe alternatives to back, neck or laser spine surgeries.

Here’s What Our Patients Have to Say About Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Dr. Wolf, Thank you so very much for helping me to relieve the pain and regain the strength of my right arm. The PRP injection worked so well that I have almost no pain and my function is 85% better than before the procedure. Thank you for doing the PRP injection for me! Your office staff was professional and friendly, it was a pleasure to be a patient at Southwest Spine & Sports. Thanks again.

— Eric P.

At almost 90 years old one expects to have some pain… that changed last March with too much of a work out at the gym! After chiropractor manipulation offering some results, we turned to Dr Wolff. We went ahead with PRP treatment and several weeks later some Physical Therapy. My mother is back to being fit, no pain, no need of a second injection, as we originally thought, and soon will be back in the gym. Dr Wolff did not over promise, was realistic with us and the end result is fabulous. I expect my mother to be without pain for many years and if we have any problem will be right back to Dr Wolff, but hopefully not too soon!

– Magda B.

Called to say she just completed a 15 mile rescue mission at 6000 ft elevation change with a 45 pound rescue pack and had no pain. She wanted to say THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! She is a fan of PRP, and never expected her knees to feel better than they did before this all happened. She is so thrilled that we helped her. She can’t thank you enough.

– Judith B.

I had been dealing with an achilles tendon issue for almost 2 years. I had been to specialists, including a surgeon that could not help me. I went to Dr. Wolff had 1 PRP injection in my achilles and was back to running in a 4 weeks was able to participate in a physical agility test for work about 2 months later. I was limping for close to 2 years, 1 shot later and I was back to normal. Thanks Again.

– Steve P.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, click here or call us today at (480) 860-8998.